Chapter 10: The Stars and Stripes Carnival

One hot second Saturday of July 2019, my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri met me and my mentor, Jenna and her sister, Jill's apartment in Point Breeze. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "Angel, I would like you and Sarah to help bake the Blue Ribbon Mini Pies, James to help heat the honey in a saucepan for the Popcorn Pops, and Henri to check the empty soup cans for sharp edges for the Tin Can Toss game," Jenna instructed. "Wow, you are actually here to help out this time, Jenna," I pointed out. Before we got started, Jenna and I ate nuts for a snack, Sarah ate carrot and celery sticks for a snack, James ate cheese for a snack, and Henri ate crackers for a snack. Jenna put on some party music to help get in the slumber party spirit. We all got to our tasks. Jenna was checking up on Henri with the soup cans. "Jenna, how do I tell if the cans have sharp edges?" Henri asked. "Well, Henri," Jenna explained, "if you look at the edges of the lids of the soup cans, and they are not bumpy or jagged, then they are good to play Tin Can Toss with!" "Okay," Henri replied, continuing to check the soup cans. Jenna went back into the kitchen to check on me, Hannah, Sarah, and James. "I love volunteering for your monthly slumber parties," I admitted. "That's good," Hannah stated. "I just hope that you girls can remember what I said and behave yourselves tonight," I firmly reminded Hannah. "This is your last chance. If anything bad happens tonight, then that's it! No more slumber parties for this year!" "Okay," Hannah agreed. "Sarah, I was wondering if you and Henri had to make any food for my surprise birthday party while James drove me around Natrona Heights," I stated. "No, because we ordered pizza and cake from fast-food restaurants, remember?" Sarah asked. "Handmade and homemade snacks are actually better for you," Hannah pointed out. James heated 2 tablespoons of honey on the stove to pour over the popcorn. "Here you go, Hannah," James stated. "This honey is all ready to drizzle over the popcorn when you are ready!" "Thanks, James," Hannah replied. "I am definitely ready." Meanwhile, Sarah and I were helping Hannah make the mini cherry pies. "Yum, cherry pie tastes almost as good as ice cream cake," I stated. "Doesn't it? Speaking of birthdays, isn't your birthday coming up, Hannah?" Sarah asked. "It sure is, Sarah," Hannah replied. "On August 9. I will be 14 years old, and Jill will be 14 years old this coming Monday." We then put the mini pies in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. "It's really weird how I am going to feel like the big sister of the family, with Abigail gone and off to college this fall," Hannah stated. "I thought Abigail was going to Chatham University," I pointed out. "She also has her freshman orientation next Saturday," Jenna stated. "Sarah felt the same way when I graduated from Freeport Area High School back in 2006," James stated. "I became the big sister of the family, just like you will be, Hannah," Sarah pointed out. "As a matter of fact, you are growing up to be the exact same age I was when I first met Angel!" "Wait a minute, that was 2002 when you turned 13 years old," I pointed out. "Hannah will be turning 14 years old in August." "Oh right, I turned 14 years old back in the fall of 2003," Sarah remembered. "I just realized that Shady Side Academy does not require caps and gowns for graduation, just like most other high schools do," Hannah stated. "If my high school were to have caps and gowns, I would design them red for the girls and blue for the boys!" "I wore a blue cap and gown for my Freeport Area High School graduation," James pointed out. "The formal attire underneath was white." "He had to wear a white collared dress shirt with a black tie, black pants, and black dress shoes," I remembered. I looked at Hannah's pretty 4th of July outfit. "You look very nice for your Stars and Stripes Carnival tonight, Hannah," I pointed out. "Thanks, Angel," Hannah replied. "I wore this to Abigail's graduation ceremony, as well as her graduation party. Samantha and I were sitting together in the audience, supporting our older sister." "Sort of like how Sarah and I supported James in the audience when he graduated," I pointed out. "I actually DID wear a red cap and gown for a different high school graduation when I graduated from high school," Sarah told me. "And, I wore my same white strapless dress and high-heeled wedge sandals for my graduation that I wore to James's," Sarah added. "Why are you wearing high heels today, Sarah?" I asked. "Because these look nicer with my outfit," Sarah told me. "I personally think that you look nicer in high-heeled sandals rather than flat sandals," I told Sarah. "Well, I think that flat sandals are more comfortable for doing summertime outings in, and I don't want to hurt my feet, Angel," Sarah pointed out. "I also think that the shade of nail polish on your toes is cute, and Hannah has been painting her toenails the exact same color!" I pointed out. "I like you, Sarah," Hannah stated. "You are such a good role model for me." "Thanks, Hannah," Sarah replied. "Angel, Jenna, Carly, and Alex also say the exact same thing about me, and you're only a young teenager!" Pretty soon, it was time for my friends to leave. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"